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Now North Belfast MLA Nichola Mallon is asking officials to sit down with her and explain how they plan to “prevent and protect disabled people from such appalling experiences”.

She said: “A number of very disturbing cases of grossly unfair and unjustifiably low scoring of people with very clear disabilities going through the PIP assessment process has been highlighted in the media recently.

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“The SDLP highlighted the frequency of reported inaccuracies, inconsistencies and unfairness of scoring by Capita Disability Assessors in our submission to Walter Radar when he was carrying out his Independent Review of the PIP Assessment Process. “We have also raised these concerns in meetings with Capita and the Department for Communities, as well as in respect of individual constituency cases.

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“The truth is many people don’t know, or don’t have the strength to complain and challenge inaccurate recording and scoring. Many still believe, despite us trying to convince them otherwise, that they will be financially punished for challenging decisions and left with no award.

“PIP entitlement is a lifeline for disabled people. Capita Disability Assessors, and Department for Communities officials who are the ultimate decision makers in awarding PIP, should get it right the first time. Robust actions and checks must be put in place to ensure this is happening.

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“At the very minimum this must involve enhanced training for Disability Assessors. We are seeking an urgent meeting with the Department for Communities at its most senior level to establish exactly what additional action it will be taking to prevent and protect disabled people from such appalling experiences”.

A Capita spokesperson said: “We are committed to delivering a high quality and empathetic service for people applying for PIP. Our disability assessors are healthcare professionals with the required skills and knowledge to carry out PIP assessments across Northern Ireland and in line with the guidance set out in the PIP Assessment Guide.

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“We operate a robust complaints process for anyone that is unhappy with the service provided, including escalating the complaint to the Department should a customer feel it has not been satisfactorily resolved.”

The private company said it is DfC, and not its staff, who decide if a person is awarded PIP and the amount they are paid.

A Department for Communities spokesperson said they dispute "the assertion the statutory processes followed in assessing applicants for PIP are grossly unfair or unfairly discriminate against those with disabilities", adding that DfC "is committed to ensuring we get decisions right first time" and that this happens "in the vast majority of cases".

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Of 150,000 PIP decisions made so far in Northern Ireland, they said just 9% were appealed with 2% being upheld, while "more people are being awarded PIP at the highest rate of benefit than under DLA". (38% as opposed to 15%)

In relation to further training they said the health care professionals carrying out PIP assessments are well vetted and "appropriately trained to carry out the PIP functional assessment". And that since they are not "diagnosing conditions" they do not need to be specialists.

But added: "Pending the return of Ministers, Departmental officials will continue to welcome the opportunity to meet with elected representatives to discuss any aspects of the Department’s work and to explain how we are applying the policies and statutory frameworks determined previously by Ministers."

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